Impacted Canines
Specialized treatment to guide impacted canines into their proper position for a healthy and aligned smile.
What Is an Impacted Tooth?
An impacted tooth is one that is stuck and cannot erupt into its proper position on its own. While impacted wisdom teeth are the most common, the maxillary cuspid, also called the upper canine or eyetooth, is the second most frequently impacted tooth.
Why Canine Teeth Matter
Canine teeth play a critical role in the dental arch. They have the longest roots of any tooth in the mouth and are designed to be the first teeth that make contact when the jaws close. This makes them essential for guiding the rest of the teeth into proper alignment during biting and chewing. Because of their importance, every effort is made to help an impacted canine erupt naturally into its correct position rather than simply removing it.
When Do Canines Normally Erupt?
Upper canines are typically the last of the front teeth to come in, usually around age 13. As they erupt, they naturally help close any remaining space between the upper front teeth. When a canine becomes impacted, this process is disrupted and intervention is needed to guide the tooth into place.
Where Impacted Canines Are Found
Impacted upper canines are found in different locations depending on the individual case. Sixty percent are located on the palatal side, meaning the roof-of-the-mouth side of the dental arch. The remaining cases are found either in the middle of the supporting bone in an elevated position above the roots of adjacent teeth, or on the facial side of the arch. The location affects the approach used for treatment.
How Impacted Canines Are Treated
Treatment for an impacted canine typically involves a coordinated approach between an oral surgeon and an orthodontist. The oral surgeon exposes the impacted tooth surgically and, in most cases, attaches a small orthodontic bracket to it. The orthodontist then uses braces or other appliances to gradually guide the tooth down into its proper position in the arch over time. The techniques used for this process can be applied to impacted teeth in both the upper and lower jaw.
What causes a canine tooth to become impacted?
The exact cause varies, but contributing factors can include overcrowding, extra teeth blocking the eruption path, or abnormal development of the tooth itself. Early evaluation is the best way to identify the issue before it becomes more complex to treat.
At what age is impacted canine treatment most effective?
Treatment is generally most effective when addressed during the early to mid-teen years, around ages 11 to 14\. At this stage, the bone is more responsive and the tooth can often be guided into place more predictably. Treatment becomes more complex as a patient gets older.
Is the canine tooth always saved, or is it sometimes removed?
Every effort is made to preserve the canine tooth given its important role in the bite and the dental arch. Removal is considered only in cases where eruption into proper position is not achievable.
What happens if an impacted canine is not treated?
An untreated impacted canine can damage the roots of adjacent teeth, contribute to crowding, and lead to cyst formation over time. It also leaves a gap in the dental arch that can affect both function and appearance.
Does treating an impacted canine require surgery?
Surgical exposure of the tooth is typically required. This is a routine oral surgery procedure. Following exposure, orthodontic treatment is used to guide the tooth into its correct position.
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